Search Results for: church

One of the most eye-opening stats for church leaders recently was from a study completed by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. The study found that while 68% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians, only 6% of that number claimed to have a biblical worldview. In short, our worldview tells us how…

What did Jesus choose to prioritize as He began His earthly ministry? What did those early days and months look like? A common misconception many have is that the first time Jesus met His future disciples, He issued His call for them to be “fishers of people.” In both Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels, the initial appearance of…

All of us have had the experience of asking an acquaintance, “How are you doing?”  The response will often come back as busy, too busy, or, recently, crazy busy! What’s going on in our culture that, in spite of all manner of time saving devices we still find ourselves overscheduled, overcommitted, and ready to snap?…

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matthew 6:21 The subject of money is one that causes panic. Every pastor who has engaged in marriage counseling will tell you it is often the underlying cause of marital…

In order to create a disciple making culture, it is of supreme importance to identify, equip, and release disciple-making leaders. Each milestone in that disciple-making triad is built on the other. You cannot release a disciple that you have not properly equipped and therefore, you cannot equip a disciple that you have not identified/recruited/engaged in…

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer Startling words from a man that understood well the ultimate cost of discipleship. Bonhoeffer spent his last days of freedom building into the lives of a group of young men, discipling and training them in the ways of faith. He was singly…

Preachers have unique opportunities to develop stronger disciples while also enhancing the quality of their preaching. It often feels as if we must choose between two essential activities in order to get everything done that calls for our attention. Employing the sermonic process as a disciple-making tool accomplishes both, reducing the guilt we often feel…

Using Jesus as the model for ministry. It is hard to believe, but not everyone is excited about using Jesus as the model for ministry. It truly baffles me that we look to Jesus for our salvation, we look to Jesus as an example in godly living, we look to Jesus as a source of…

People today are skeptical about everything. When we hear a deal that seems too good to be true, it usually is. Not everything you see in print or online can be held as truthful or trustworthy. That same skepticism also falls on the Bible. It is common today for people to think that the Bible…

If you start a marathon as if it were a sprint, you will use your energy too quickly and give up too soon. When it comes to making disciples, remember that it’s more like a marathon than a sprint. Making disciples is a lifelong commitment, not a passing a fad in your life. As you…

It’s truly fascinating how certain words conjure up intense emotions in people. Heated debates ignite around terms like “seekers,” “contemporary,” “innovative,” or “relevance” among preachers; you can’t help but notice. These discussions might go in different directions, but in many respects, the words themselves should not be up for debate. While some people firmly resist…